President Luis Abinader’s recent call for a major national agreement comes at a time of high global uncertainty. The conflicts in the Middle East, added to the volatility of energy markets, force nations to rethink their development models. However, more than a situation of sacrifice, this can be the starting point for a structural transformation of the Dominican economy.
The Dominican Republic cannot remain tied to dependence on oil and its derivatives. This model, in addition to being vulnerable, limits our capacity for sustainable growth. Today, renewable energies are not a distant promise, they are a tangible reality. Countries like Germany have managed to generate more than 40% of their energy from renewable sources, while Costa Rica has achieved long periods of operating almost entirely with clean energy. In the Caribbean, even, Barbados is positioned as a benchmark in solar energy applied to homes and tourism.
These models are not only replicable, but also adaptable to our reality. We have privileged conditions: sun throughout the year, wind potential in various regions and access to increasingly affordable technologies. Betting on an energy transition is not only an environmental decision, it is an intelligent economic strategy that reduces costs, attracts foreign investment and generates quality jobs.
But independence should not be limited to energy. The country has a historic opportunity to review its productive matrix, especially in the agricultural field. We must prioritize local items that do not depend on imported inputs or international commodities. Products such as bananas, cassava, sweet potatoes, yams, coconuts, cocoa and Dominican coffee are not only part of our identity, but can become pillars of a more resilient economy. Promoting organic and sustainable production would strengthen small producers, boost rural economies and reduce our exposure to external crises.
This approach must be accompanied by an inclusive vision of development. We cannot allow entire sectors of the economy to be sacrificed in the name of stability, especially those linked to creativity, culture and innovation. The so-called orange economy is not a luxury; It is an engine of income, employment and international projection. Limiting its growth would be a strategic error with profound social consequences.
The call for a national agreement must go beyond containment. It must be a pact for expansion, innovation and economic independence. History has shown that great nations are not built from restriction, but from the ability to reinvent themselves in difficult times.
Today, the Dominican Republic has everything to achieve it: natural resources, human talent and strategic allies with cutting-edge technology. What is needed is decision, vision and coherence. Transforming a global crisis into a development opportunity is not only possible, it is necessary.
This is the time to stop reacting and start leading.
